DNC: Brownback Announces Candidacy of Ideology Over People

Washington, DC- Tomorrow, Kansas Senator Sam Brownback will announce his candidacy for the GOP Presidential nomination giving the American people their first real glimpse into his rigid conservative ideology. Despite his rhetoric on "real compassion", Senator Brownback has seemingly put ideology first, voting against the needs of hard working Americans, protection for our troops in Iraq and Afghanistan, benefits for our veterans and against advancing medical research during his years in the Senate.

"By throwing his hat in the ring Senator Brownback will have to reconcile his compassionate rhetoric with the callous conservatism his record shows," said Democratic National Committee spokesperson Amaya Smith. "So far, Senator Brownback's record has already shown that he's willing to place his uncompromising ideology over the needs of real people. The American people want a President who will work for the interest of all Americans, not another stubborn ideologue who places his own political agenda over the needs of the American people."

Brownback's Compassionate Rhetoric vs. Reality

Brownback claims he'll bring compassion to the job of the Presidency, "There is a real need in our country to rebuild the family and renew our culture," Brownback said. "There is a need for genuine conservatism and real compassion in the national discussion."[Topeka Capitol Journal, 12/5/06]

In Reality... Brownback Voted To Eliminate Minimum Wage Protection For Millions of Workers and Their Families. Brownback voted to exempt businesses with gross annual sales of under $1 million from the minimum wage requirement, which would eliminate minimum wage protection for millions of workers. Brownback voted to cut overtime pay, which would deny overtime for employees working more than 40 hours a week by introducing an 80-hour accounting period in which they could work 50 hours one week and 30 hours the next without extra pay. Brownback voted to prevent states from raising wages of tipped workers. [Vote #180 6/21/06, S 2766; Rejected 45-53 (R 45-9; D 0-43; I 0-1)]

Brownback Opposes Use of Stem Cells for Medical Research. Speaking in support of Bush's actions to restrict use of stem cells for medical research, Brownback said, "I'm quite confident... The president staked out clear principles that this is human life and I don't think he'll move from it." [Chattanooga Times Free Press, 7/30/05]